There is a lot more to this seemingly quiet little country. For a tiny country perched at the edge of Europe, Lithuania has some really impressive claims to fame. Here are 10 more interesting facts about Lithuania that you will love.
10 Interesting Facts About Lithuania
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Lithuania is popular for two main things:
- It occupies 1/3 of the land area of the Baltic States.
- It stands out for its fantastic basketball players.
When you watch athletes on TV, do you at times see the following?
- Very long names
- Names with endless consonants
- Consonants with all those funny tonal marks
1. VERY ANCIENT
The first time the name “Lithuania” was mentioned was some 1007 years ago, in the annals of Quedlingburg! And too, philologists generally agree that Lithuanian is the most ancient of all the living languages.
2. CENTRALLY LOCATED
According to a 1989 study by a French scientist, Lithuania is in the geographical center of Europe.
3. RELIGIOUSLY CONSERVATIVE
Lithuania is a most religiously conservative country. Why can we say so? Well, Lithuanians were the last nation in Europe to convert to Christianity. Lithuanians felt too comfortable with their traditional faiths to sacrifice it for a new one.
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4. CUSTOMISED SMELL/SCENT
Countries around the world have all sorts of official things: Official language. Official colour. Even official costume. But Lithuania takes it a notch higher. How?
Lithuania is the only country in the world with its own official scent. It is called the Scent of Lithuania. Talk about customizing!
5. AN IT GIANT
Lithuania might be ancient and conservative, but Lithuania is very tech alert. A 2011 ranking put Lithuania at number one worldwide for internet upload and download speed! What do you think of that?
6. WIERD MORAL CODE
In every culture, there are quite a handful of moral codes, many unwritten. Lithuania has a number of her own.
A spinster in Lithuania and you want to get married? Don’t sit at a corner! Apparently only ladies of loose morals sit at such places. So, in Lithuania, sitting at the corner of a table makes you unmarriageable.
7. VODKA EXPERTS
Vodka may have been made popular by Russia. But Lithuania scored a “first” in distilling the spirit. Making vodka from corn was first discovered by the Lithuanians.
8. BELIEFS AND FEARS
Being the last of all European countries to convert to Christianity, Lithuania still has a number of beliefs that border on superstition. Some of these beliefs and fears are similar to those of some ethnicities in Nigeria.
For example, whistling indoors. Lithuanians are quick to caution: Don’t whistle indoors because it brings bad luck. Why? It is believed that whistling indoors places a call to evil little devils.
9. IDEPENDENCE FROM USSR
Lithuania was the first to declare independence from the Soviet Union in 1990.
10. GOOD-LUCK CHARM
Charms, amulets, and talismans…they are all worn or used for good luck. But what do you know about Black Bread and Salt?
In Lithuania, Black Bread & Salt have a meaning. Combined, they’re considered good luck. So expect to get a small token when visiting a conservative Lithuanian home.
Hope you enjoy and learn a lot from this ten facts about Lithuania.
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